From AWANA awards night

Off the Clock?

Every Saturday for the last couple of months several young men gather at the Bethany Baptist Church office complex to discuss theology, sharpen each other, and study the Word together.  Last week we looked at 1 Peter 1:13 - 21....

Wow.

The apostle Peter lays it on thick.  (JUST WAIT UNTIL CHAPTER 2!)

We really spent a lot of time thinking and talking through this thought:

As Christians... we are NEVER "off the clock".

Never?

Nope...

There are always:
- Believers who need encouragement.
- Unbelievers who need the gospel.
- A brother or sister in Christ who needs correction.
- OUR OWN SIN that need to be repented of.

... and even if all the above was done.  Even if we could catch a break in the sacntification process... there is NEVER an unacceptable time to praise the King of glory.

No brethren... we are never off the clock.

Be blessed y'all... be a blessing.

What are you going to do about it?

One of the questions that arises out of this Sunday's text (1 Kings 5:1 – 7:12) is this:

As you ask the Lord to search your heart, what areas of your life are not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus?  What are you going to do about it?

Wow... talk about convicting.  

But the question still remains... what are you going to do about it?

1 Kings 3 ( 04 - 25 - 10 )

The Meaning of Life.

Amazing don't you think?

As Christians, we have the answer to the most important question ever posed. "What is the meaning of life?"

We know that answer... JESUS!

Now... our job is to tell who-so-ever will hear.

Communication

"I'm pretty sure she's trying to tell us something about the light."




I wonder sometimes if I sound like this frantic child when I am telling someone something passionately.

But you know what I never wonder...

I never wonder if Jesus has difficulty understanding me.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
-- Romans 8:26 - 27


Be blessed... be a blessing.

Dannia all dressed up.

Questions

"You know that children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers."
-- John J. Plomp

It seems that everyday I am faced with more puzzling questions from the Johnson kiddos.  My 7 year old (ok… my 6.78 year old) wants to know HOW things work… my 5 year old wants to know WHY things work… my 3 year old wants to know WHAT things are called… and my 1.5 year old is… well… Izz just is.

It's a lot of work… but it's also a lot of fun.

Imagine, if you will, the joy God the Father receives when His children are awed by His creation… or His providence… or His mercy.

Have you taken the time to seek the Father's face today?

Often times we think of our fellowship with the Lord being paramount in our lives… and it should be… but it is a two-way street.  Isn't it?

Have you given Him the opportunity to enjoy the fellowship?

What questions do you have for Him?  Will you give Him the opportunity to answer?

Be blessed y'all… be a blessing.

Dannia lost another tooth :)

Unequally Yoked

I read Ezra the other day and something flew off the page at me... again.  One of the things that strikes me time and time again as I read through the Bible is the command not to inter marry with non-believers.  Here is a short (and non-exhaustive) list:

He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
Deuteronomy 17:17 (referring to the king who would reign in the land.)

The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.
Ezra 9:11 – 12 (post exile mourning.)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
"Therefore come out from them and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:14–18

Does this only apply to marriage?  I would argue... NO.

What influences do you have that are not godly?  Do you have people or habits in your life that are keeping you from growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ?

Friends?  Clubs?  Associations?  Acquaintances? 

The principle of being "equally yoked" is clear from the Scriptures. 

The question is... what is your response?

We went Coastal today.

Solomon Takes the Throne (04-18-10)

This week we look at the need to:

GROW WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

1 Kings 2 (04-18-10) from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

Wasted time.

Last week I watched the film:
THE GOD WHO WASN'T THERE.

Wow.

Hmmmm....

I really don't know where to start.

I will not get into any real detail, mainly because the "documentary"
seemed more like a disgruntled man seeking to soften the pain of his
antagonism than it did an objective view of anything. Don't get me
wrong, I appriciate stimulating debate, but this was hardly that. The
time I spend watching this film felt like watching someone with some
major identity issues rationalize their irrationality. It just didn't
make too much sense.

I do not recommend anyone, on either side of the debate, to waste
their time with this film.

Go outside (if you can) or read a book instead.

Tax Day Today

Well... it's here. Today is tax day and the it's time to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. Take a few moments are read Matthew 22:15 – 22 below:

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

While we have the obligation to pay taxes, our government also has the responsibility to manage those funds properly. (THIS IS NOT A POST ABOUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING)Taxes are not my favorite subject... nor is paying them my favorite activity.  But the Lord has instituted government and it runs on taxes.  This is not going to be a blog about economics, politics, or the like.  This is a post on doing what is right.

Do you know that everything you have actually belongs to Jesus?  In fact, if you are a believer, He actually owns you (Acts 20:28 and 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23)!!! Sometimes we get all bent out of shape because we have to pay such and such a tax.  Interesting, don't you think?  Christians are called to be generous with everything.  Our TIME... our TALENT... our TREASURE... our TESTIMONY... everything. 

This is a call to perspective.  We are to Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's ... that said... what are you giving to God?  Are you seeking to bless His heart with what He has equipped you with and entrusted to your care?

Maybe we could do a little less complaining and be grateful for what we have?

Maybe we can bless someone today?

You, me, and Nehemiah

"You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

"Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, upon our priests and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong. Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the warnings you gave them. Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways.

"But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress."
Nehemiah 9:29 – 37

As a father I can appreciate Nehemiah's words.  I don't take pleasure in disciplining my children... but at the same time... I love them enough to do it.  Israel was warned CENTURIES before the exile that rebellion against the Lord's commands carried with it very exact and devastating consequences. 

I am so thankful that the Lord deals with the church somewhat different than He did with the nation of Israel.  But discipline is disipline and we read in Hebrews 12

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. (verses 7–8)

I don;t know exactly what you are going through, but I do know this:

IF TIMES ARE TOUGH... LEAN HARDER ON JESUS.

One of the reasons God allows us to go through the hard times is to prove His faithfulness.

Until next time: Be blessed... be a blessing.

Ezra

I read the book of Ezra this morning.

Wow.

Sure there are a lot of people mentioned in all sorts of lists... but don't let that scare you away.

The first few verses really sets the stage:

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing:
"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
" 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.' "
Ezra 1:1 – 4

This is a book of hope... of God's faithfulness... of men and women coming back to God.

When was the last time you told someone about God's goodness and grace?

You know... today is a perfectly good day to do that very thing.

1 Kings 2 (04-11-10)

This week we examine the last words a man after God's own heart offers his son.


1 Kings 2 (04-11-10) from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

British Shark needs a dentist

Family

By now... most of the people who have heard me preach and spoken with me privately understand that I think in terms of family.

I think like a husband and father.

That being said... consider the following:

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

2 Timothy 2:1-2

Paul pulls no punches.  Look at what he says:

1. my son -- PAUL SEES HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH TIMOTHY AS ONE OF FAMILY

2. be strong -- THERE IS PLENTY IN THIS WORLD TO DISCOURAGE... BE STRONG.

3. you have heard me say -- THEY SPENT TIME TOGETHER

4. may witnesses -- PAUL'S FAITH WAS NOT A PRIVATE MATTER
5. entrust -- THE SAME THAT WAS ENTRUSTED TO YOU SHOULD BE ENTRUSTED TO OTHERS
6. men qualified to teach others -- DO WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN ME DO

Is it any wonder that the Bible places such a priority on family?

Do you?

Improvised?

Sometimes... you just have to make it up as you go.  As a parent... I can appreciate innovation.

I am so thankful that the Gospel was not put together on the fly.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:3 - 12 (emphasis added)

He is risen y'all.

HE IS RISEN! (Easter 2010)

In this message we examine three necessary components of theology that find tehir foundation in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sorry about the glare and the camera being a little low.
We're working on it :)

Be blessed... be a blessing!


HE IS RISEN! (Easter 2010) from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

Easter Lunch :)

Sammy is BUTTERFLY MAN!

WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS???

Who do men say that I am?"
(Matthew 16:13)

What a piercing question from the lips of Christ. 

"Who do men say that I am?"

So... who is He?

Who is Jesus?

A wise teacher?

A saintly humanitarian?

A man gone insane?

The Son of God?

"Who do men say that I am?"

Take a few minutes and watch the following video. 

There are several comments beneath the video.
(DOUBLE CLICK ON THE VIDEO IF IT'S NOT SIZED RIGHT.)

"Who do men say that I am?"

I have a question that is a little more personal:

WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

GOOD FRIDAY!

Today is the day that all of Christendom looks to the cross.

Why don't you take a few minutes to watch this video and sing along!

When you're done, scroll down below it for some GOOD FRIDAY thoughts




Today we look at the cross.

Today all eyes are on the Lamb.

Jesus paid the price for humanity.

He was willing to die for you...

Are you willing to live for Him?

Be blessed... be a blessing!

Tough economic times have affected the super hereos

All the World is a Stage

"Look! Look at the shiny ______ !"

If you have children, you can relate. If you've ever been a child... you can also relate. The world sure produces shiny things that take our attention away from the things of the Lord. 

That's the interesting thing about attention... it can only really be on one things at a time. 

WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSED ON?

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:15 - 17

Be blessed... be a blessing.